John Charles McKENZIE

(1860-1941)

McKENZIE, John Charles, a
Representative from Illinois; born on a farm near Elizabeth,
Woodbine Township, Jo Daviess County, Ill., February 18, 1860;
attended the common schools, and the normal school at Valparaiso,
Ind.; taught school in Jo Daviess County for six years; engaged in
the grain, flour, and feed business; studied law; was admitted to
the bar in 1890 and commenced the practice of his profession in
Elizabeth, Ill.; director of the Elizabeth Exchange Bank; member of
the State house of representatives 1892-1896; member of Illinois
Claims Commission 1896-1900; served in the State senate from 1900
until his resignation on May 11, 1911, and was president pro
tempore 1903-1905; elected as a Republican to the Sixty-second and
to the six succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1911-March 3, 1925);
chairman, Committee on Military Affairs (Sixty-eighth Congress);
was not a candidate for renomination in 1924; appointed in 1925 a
member of the commission to report the most practical method of
utilizing the nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals, Ala.; resumed the
practice of his profession in Elizabeth, Ill., until his death in
that city on September 17, 1941; interment in Elizabeth
Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present